Chelmofox

I didnt want to bring it up - but had this in the back of my mind since he signed on loan.

Unpopular opinion alert. I quite like Fatawu coming on as a sub at the moment. We've scored 3 without him, so might actually help him feel he doesnt have to try so hard and trust those around him a bit more. Also, as a tired defender, seeing him come on must be hell.

And didn’t cost over 10 million

Yeah. We havent done enough if that - exploiting a defender we knew had weaknesses. Certainly a different tactic.

To be fair, after that pass from Okoli I would have thrown my arms around.

Good long ball to Daka and really should have had an assist - and i remember a pretty decent shot too. I still think consistency is going to be key. I think he is going to be up and down, but i do think if anyone is going to benefit from having our game simplified a bit, its Luke.

As much as we have felt better the last 2 games, our last win was 9 games ago. Skipp and Winks aren't first names on the team sheet yet, especially when JJ is back. I think shape is really important. JJ plays ahead of either of those 2 when he is back.

I think d1cking around with false 9s is silly right now. Play Mukasa where he has proven to be his best so far and have someone on the box. Daka wasn’t brilliant but he caused problems that disappears when Ayew came on.

Actually enjoy his interviews. He says stuff that makes sense.

Much much much better. Its hard to explain. Felt like we had a game plan. Other than the brain fart (and maybe Daka's header) that was there for the taking. But we weren't holding on for dear life. We frsutrated them and came very close to winning it. Back 4 looked much better (apart from he who cannot pass). Ayew worst player on the pitch. I get Daka cant play every 90, but we have to try something else.

Yes - offside and VAR would have dealt with it.

Didnt realise how bad it is for Spurs. Rooted to the bottom of the 10 game form table. West Ham with only 1 defeat in 6 ( to Chelsea). Very tough times for them.

Any game in winnable in this league. We just need to turn up and have a game with limited mistakes.

This is just before the cross went in. I actually dont agree that this is Mavadidi's fault. There are 6 players defending and i think the winger has every right to be waiting for the counter. I always like seeing our wingers being doubled up on. Here Riccy and Aribo give the their 2 wide players all the space they need. Neither can be arsed to make it remotely difficult to get the cross in (Aribo even turns his back!). Nelson, Okoli and Skipp decide the defend 2 players leaving Luke having to make a decision. If there is one player you dont want to make a decision its Luke. Then when the cross comes in, Luke reads it poorly, worrying about the players more than dealing with the ball. And Begovic, with all his experience, stays rooted to his line. A few steps forward and the keeper would make it much more difficult for Wilmot. Begovic it awful here - if you watch the replay its like he's about a minute late to everything. We may have well just scored an own goal.

To be fair, 1st half against Southampton felt like a team we could get behind as well. I liked Rowetts post match interview though. No bullsh1t, and clearly identifying issues but in an upbeat way. Was getting pi55ed off with Marti's interviews were it felt he was watching a completely different game. I do feel more confident though. Im not sure about Middlesbrough but it we can be difficult to beat there and even eek out a draw, confidence will start to improve. Any team can get a result in championship games. Rowett know this.

So we agree Lachells and Nelson the way forward. Yipeee

Based on what?

That’s because he is playing with Okoli.

This assumes the PPG were gained because JV was on the pitch. We've been missing a certain JJ for a while which has had a massive influence, and we have seen Riccy fall off a cliff. You could do this with other players too. Jakubs points per game will likely be higher than Begovic and i bet i could probably cherry pick some Faes stats. We have become significantly worse as the season has gone on so any PPG analysis regardless whose been on the pitch will be skewed by that. To think we might be mid table if JV didnt get injured is mental. I suppose the point is, rather than worry about when players who were not good enough in the first place are coming back and assuming they are 'just gonna sort it', Rowett should focus on what he has got and get them organised and effective. However, Lachelles + JV as a BC pairing with Luke and Riccy either side - horrible.

Lascelles yes, Jannik should be a bench option. Nelson + Lascelles should be the first choice. Vestergaard has been horrific this season and isn't a magical solution. He can't jump and gets caught out for pace.

Surely Aluko needs to cover right back for the inevitable that going to happen to Riccy.

Not sure why we are playing Begovic. Poor.

This, i am afraid, is recency bias. VK is not only as bad as Thomas, he also isn't fit.

Personally don’t see the point in playing Begovic. We are deluding ourselves he’s an upgrade and just oversaw the horrific 2nd half against Southampton. Rather play aluko and vk right now. And Daka!

This is the concern. Do they realise that survival means we have to let Rowett do his thing, or Friday night does Rowett get given the team sheet and told how to set up and play. Up until now, teams knew exactly what they were getting. I like to think a change will throw many off guard and work on our favour.